Moistener



Nov. 15, 1938. w. E. ROSEBUSH MOISTENER Filed Dec. 30, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l l-NVENTOR Wu. Z070 ERosebush BY W M ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1938. w. E. ROSEBUSH MOiSTENER Filed Dec. 50, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR waldoE. Rosebush/ wnuz'sszs p M ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1938. w. E. ROSEBUSH MOISTENER Filed Dec. 50, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR waldo EZRosebush/ BY W. I W

- 5 ATTORNEY WITN ESSES Nov. 15, 1938. "w. E. ROSEBUSH 2,136,468

MOISTENER Filed Dec. so, 1936- 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR waldo E.Rosebu571/ Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFIQE MOISTENER 1 Waldo E. Rosebush, Millwood, Wash. Application December 30, 1 936, Serial No. 11s,214-

3 Claims. (oi. 91 rs This invention relates to improvements in de vices for conditioning suitable materials so as to be pasted, or sealed, or aflixed as may be desired.

The device may be used for moistening the adhesive or gum on the closing flaps of envelopes and folders preparatory to the sealing of the latter, or applying a liquid adhesive or gum to the fiapsforthe purpose stated; to prepare tape or strip material so as to be secured or affixed 10 for various purposes, suchv as sealing folders,

applying printed addresses on envelopes and folders, and applying postage stamps on mail matter operated by machines designed and adapted to handle the same.

15 'The subject matter herein embraces matter which is a continuation in part of the subject matter disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 79,494, filed May 13, 1936.

With the foregoing objects and others in view,

20 the invention resides in the combinations, ar-

rangements, and operations of the parts as hereinafter described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary top view of the envelope feed, moistener, and sealing means of a stuffing and sealing machine ofthe type disclosed in the aforesaid pending application;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the moistener appearing in Fig. 1, a portion of the liquid distributor being broken away;

Fig. 3 is an endview of a modified form of moistener and tape feed, together with sealing rolls and supporting means therefor;

Fig. 4 is a side view and part section showing certain features of the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4-. and looking in the direction indicated by the 40 arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the moistener appearing in Figs. 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing other features of the moistener appearing in 45 Figs. 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the gummed tape feed, cutter, moistener, and air control assembly;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section of certain features shown in Fig. 8, and illustrating the 50 manner in which the tape is cut into separate pieces of predetermined length; 7

Fig. 10 is a side view of the tape cutting assemly;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross section of the main 55 liquid distributing tube, the dotted lines indicating the status of the liquid in the tube under normal condition;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the status of the liquid under high suction from the gum or adhesive being moistened as the material coated'with' the same is moving over the tube in contact therewith.-

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a device which is designed and adapted to condition or moisten the film of an adhesive substance or gum on the inside of the flaps of envelopes as they are fed one at a time in order that the envelopes maybe sealed, and the matter shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a continuation in part of the subjectmatter. disclosed in my pending application hereinbefore identified. i

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be apparent that there is shown a magazine I for containing a multiplicity of empty and unsealed envelopes II in stacked formation, the magazine being open at the top so that the envelopes may be advanced one at a time for receiving the intended-contents, by a feed pusher 91 operated bysuitable means. ,The envelopes are-advancedtowardthe moistener at the discharge end ofthe magazine I0.

The moistener includes a water font or bottle I having a resilient discharge control means I06 on its lower outlet end. The lower end of the font I05 is received in a socket I01 formed on one end of a water distributing tube I08 so'that said tube will be in communication withthe font and project radially with respect thereto. The tube I08 is flat and tapered, there being an air' vent I09 therein; also. a series of fine discharge holes H0 and a very narrow longitudinal slit III between the series of holes H0. 'The font I05 with its discharge control means I06 may be mounted in an inverted position with relation to the socket I0I, as shown in Fig. 2. The tube I08 may be mounted in fixed position in any suitable manner with respect to the magazine I0. Water enters the tube I08 fromthe font I05. When the level of the water in the tube I08 drops, due to the distribution of the water, air enters through the vent I09 and allows the outflow of water from the font. It is'to be understood that the flap of each envelope as it is advanced by the pad 91 will be partly raised. l-Ience, as each envelope is advanced the flap will pass in contact with the upper surface of the tube I08 and the adhesive substance on the flap will take up or be smeared with water passing out of the holes H0 and the slit III. The flap of the envelope may then be secured to the body of the envelope to effectually seal the envelope. The forward movement of the pad 91 is sufiicient to advance each envelope to a pair of pressure rollers I20 and |2| respectively, which are mounted for rotation beyond the tube I08. The roller I20 has been broken away to show that the roller 2| is mounted directly therebeneath. The shafts of the rollers I20 and |2| are supported by suitable bearings carried by spaced standards I23, as shown. The roller 2| is positively driven by any suitable means, the upper roller I20 being caused to rotate as each envelope is fed between the rollers I20 and I2I, the rollers I20 and |2| exerting pressure on opposite sides of each envelope. The flap of the envelope in passing between the rollers 20 and 2| is forced down in contact with the moistener tube I06 for a thorough wetting of the adhesive on the flap. The rollers I20 and |2| finally press the flap down against the body of the envelope to secure it and so seal the envelope.

In Figs. 3 to 12, inclusive, there is shown a further form of moistener which is designed and adapted to prepare or condition tape or strip material so as to be secured or aflixed for various purposes, such as sealing folders, applying printed addresses on envelopes and folders, and applying postage stamps on mail matter. This form of the invention is useful in conjunction with a machine of the type disclosed in my aboveidentified pending application. The device shown may be used as an attachment, or be permanently incorporated in a machine of the indi cated character.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be apparent that there are shown spaced standards 20 and 2|. These standards will be arranged adjacent the discharge end of an envelope magazine of the type referred to hereinabove. A shaft 22 is supported in horizontal position by lugs 23 on the standards 20 and 2|, respectively. Arms 24 have their lower ends connected with the shaft 22. The arms 24 are thus mounted for swinging or pivotal movement, and embody bearings which receive the opposite ends of the shafts respectively of the pressure sealing rollers 25 and 26. The rollers 25 and 26 are similar to the rollers I20 and HI hereinbefore referred to. A transmission shaft 2I is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings 28 secured to the standards 20 and 2|. A latch 29 carried by one of the arms 24 is engageable with one end of the shaft 21 in order to latch the sealing rollers 25 and 26 in position. The shaft 21 has a bevel gear 30 fast thereon which meshes with a drive gear 3| of the sheetfolding mechanism. The shaft 21 also has a gear 32 fast thereon which meshes with a gear 33 on one end of the shaft of the roller 26 in order to cause the continuous rotation of the roller 26. The gear 33 meshes with a similar gear on the shaft of the upper roller 25 in order to cause the latter to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation of the roller 26.

The moistening device is employed in conjunction with the sealing rollers 25 and 26 and also in conjunction with a tape or strip-feeding means to be hereinafter described. The moistener includes a water font or bottle 34 having a resilient discharge control means 35 on its lower outlet end. The lower discharge end of the font 34 is received in a socket 36 formed on one end of a distributing tube 31 so that the'tube will be in communication with the interior of the font 34 and project laterally with respect thereto. The tube 3'! is somewhat flat and ovoidal in cross section and is tapered toward its closed end. The tube 31 has a very narrow longitudinal slit 38 therein to distribute a film of water, and said tube also has a series of fine discharge holes 39 therein at one side of the slit 38 and below the level of the slit, due to the curvature of the upper walls of the tube 31, as shown most clearly in Figs. 11 and 12. The tube 31 also has an air vent 40 therein spaced from the font end of the slit 38 and occurring in a position to be just beyond the edge of each envelope flap to insure the proper flow of water according to the demands made by the character of the gum or adhesive on the flap. The socket 36 has formed integral therewith a cup 4|. Water flows from the socket 36 into the cup 4| through a hole 42 in the cup. A water distributing tube 43 of springy metal has one end portion 44 thereof bent substantially at a right angle to the major portion of the tube. The end portion 44 projects upwardly through the cup 4|, and its upper extremity is secured in any suitable manner to a head 45 adapted to receive an adjusting screw 46 having a valve member 41 which projects into the end portion 44 and snugly fits in the same. The end portion 44 has holes 48 diametrically opposite each other which permit water to fiow from the cup 4| into the tube 43. The end portion 44 also has a hole 49 therein above one of the holes 48, and an air vent 50 secured in the cup 4| adjacent the end portion 44 has its lower end in communication with the hole 49 and its upper end in communication with the atmosphere. This vent 50 admits air into the tube 43 when the level of the water in the cup falls below the hole 49. The valve member 41 may be adjusted by operating the screw 46 in order to completely shut off both air and water to the tube 43, or to shut off the air only, or to admit both air and water to the tube 43. The tube 43 has a narrow longitudinal waterdistributing slit 5| therein approximating the slit 38 in the tube 31, as shown in Fig. 5. The tube 43 has a branch distributing tube 52 connected therewith so as to be rigid with the portion 44. The tube 52 is bent in order that the major portion thereof will be spaced from and disposed substantially parallel to the distributlng portion of the tube 43. The branch tube 52 has a narrow longitudinal water distributing slit 53, the said slit opening laterally and downwardly. The branch tube being in communication with the tube 43 will receive water and air therefrom. In order to effectually control the flow of water from the font 34 to the tube 31, there is provided an air vent tube 54 which is substantially L-shaped. A portion of the tube extends through the socket 36 and rises into the font 34 through the outlet. The other end 55 of the tube 54 is the air inlet end. Air is admitted periodically to the tube 54 in a manner to be described. In order to catch any overflow of water when the font filled with water is inverted to be engaged in the socket 36, there is provided a drain box 56 secured in fixed position in any suitable manner to the standards 20 and 2|. A drain pipe 51 connected with the box 56 carries off the overflow of water from the box into any suitable receptacle provided for that purpose.

In order to admit quantities of air at regular intervals into the tube 54, in accordance with the demands for water made on the distributing tube 31, there is provided means as follows: A block 58 is secured in the box 56'an'd' is boredand threaded to receive the threaded inlet "end 55 0f the tube 5 An air passage59 inthe block 58 communicates at one end with the bore and at its other end opensto a guideway 6| in which a slide 82 is vertically movable up and down. The slide 62 has an air port 63 which maybe brought into and out of registry with the passage59 upon up-and-down movement of the slide 62. The slide 82 has a notch 64 therein. A crankshaft 85 is mounted for rockingmovement'inbearings 88 and 61, respectively, on the standard 2| and a standard 68. The shaft 65 has a crank 69. A small bracket 16 is pivotally connected with the crank 69 as at H. A connecting rod "has its lower end adjustably connected with the bracket l8 as at 13, and its upper end 14 is bent laterally and engaged intlie notch 64in the slide 52. An adjustable cam 15 is mounted on a shaft on which the gear 3! is mounted. The cam 15 cooperates with a spool or the like on the end of a crank 16 of the shaft 65. A contractile spring Tl has one end thereof connected with the crank 76 and its opposite end connected with the standard 68. The spring yieldingly retains the crank F6 in cooperative engagement with the cam l5 and causes return movement of the crank shaft 65. In each revolution of the cam 15, the slide 62 will be caused to move down and then up, through the intervention of the shaft 55, bracket 18, and rod 12. This action takes place to correspond with the advance of the envelopes to be sealed in succession.

In order to cause the movement of the tube 43 into and out of water distributing position, in response to the up-and-down movement of the slide 62, the slitted end of the tube 43 is secured to the upper end of the slide, as at T8, or in any suitable manner. The slit 5| in the tube 43 applies a film of water on the front face of each envelope as it is fed thereto due to the fact that the distributing end of the tube 53 will be flexed upwardly and retained momentarily as each envelope is being advanced. It is understood that each envelope will be advanced in part by a feeding mechanism and by the rollers 25 and 26. The envelope is designated E (see Fig. 8).

The branch tube 52, by virtue of its slit 53, distributes or spreads a film of water on the gummed surface of an endless tape or strip 19, which is advanced and cut in separate pieces of predetermined length by means to be hereinafter described. This tape or strip may contain printed addresses or other matter to be applied to envelopes and folders; or the tape or strip may consist of postage stamps with the usual transverse lines of perforations, the stamps to be affixed on the face of envelopes, folders, and other mail matter. A roll of tape may be supported by any suitable means, indicated generally at 86, and secured to the base of the standards 20 and fl below the sealing rollers 25 and 26. The roll of tape is supported so as to be unwound freely.

The feeding of the tape is accomplished by the means and in the manner presently to be described. A frame 8! is fixedly secured to the crank 69. The frame 8| supports a guide roller 82 and a larger guide roller 83 is mounted on the arbor of the crank 69 between the ends of the frame. The roller 83 cooperates with the roller 25. The tape 19 passes around the rollers 82 and 83, as shown in Fig. 8, and is positively advanced periodically by the cooperation of the roller 83 with the roller 26. The roller 83 at regular intervals is moved into and out of cooperative relation with the roller 26 in response to the rocking movement of thecrank shaft 65. A bracket 84 is fixed to the drain box 56 adjacent the slide 62 and in line with the rollers 82 and 83. The bracket 84 provides end bearings 85, which support a roller 86 cooperating with the roller 26. A rocker frame 81 is arranged between the end bearings 85 and is supported for locking movement by the ends of the shaft of the roller 86. The frame 81 has cars 88 through which the lateral end 14 of the rod 12 extends. The frame 81 has a deflector 89 which parallels the roller 86 below the same. The roller 86 c0- operates with the roller 26 to move the advance portion of the tape to the pinch of the rollers 25 and 26. l

. Inorder to cut the tape 19 into separate pieces of predetermined length, there is provided means in the present instance as follows. Cooperative arcuate guides 90 and 9|, respectively, are secured to the box 56 adjacent'the roller 26 in fixed relation thereto. The guide 9l has a suitable cutter92 on its upper end, the same consisting of a series of fine teeth bent laterally inward or toward the guide 90, as shown most clearly in Fig. 8. The tape passes between. the guides 90 and 9| up to the roller 86; In each down movement of the slide 62, the deflector 89 pushes the tape into cutting relation to the cutter 92. At this time the tape is being advanced by the cooperation of the rollers 86 and 26, while the roller 83 is down away from the roller 26 out of cooperative engagement with respect thereto due to the down swing of the crank 69. In other words, the tape will be pressed flatwise against the cutting teeth. Thetape held against the cutting teeth while the tape is being pulled upwardly causes the teeth to penetrate and cut the tape by reason of the cooperative action of deflector 89 and rollers 86 and 26. The tape will be cut crosswise to sever a piece of predetermined length, the gum of which will be moistened by the tube 52 and will be drawn along by the rollers 25 and 26 and be pressed into contact with the front face of the envelope and thus be secured or aifixed thereto as the envelope is being sealed. It is to be understood that the cutting of the tape into separate pieces will be in timed accord with the feeding and moistening of each envelope and the wetting on the front face thereof by the tube 43.

In operation, the gum or adhesive on the flap of each envelope will pull a water film from the slit 38, which will start from a point near the vent 48, bending upwardly to cover this vent just beyond reach of the edge of the envelope flap. Normally, the film will remain that Way with enough air being admitted to the tube 54 by virtue of the operation of the slide 62, which air is introduced above the water in the font 34. Should the demand for water film be increased by the character of the gum or adhesive surface, width thereof, etc., then the film covering the vent 48 will be drawn down and additional air will enter the tube 31 to insureproper flow and distribution of the water. The additional holes 39, due to their lower level, allow the film of water to protrude, catch on the envelope flap, and so on up to break into the film in the slit 38, as indicated in Fig. 11.

The tape reaching the tube 52 is stiff enough to move away from the roller 26 and, hence, pushes against the water film of the slit 53. When long pieces of tape are to be applied, there may be a tendency for the tape to move away from the tube 52; also, the lines of perforations between stamps, in the event that the tape is of this character, will cause the tape to lack stiffness. Therefore, a deflector and guide 93 carried by the bracket 84 is employed to insure the proper moistening of the gum or adhesive substance. Where postage stamps are applied, a rupture at the perforations will be caused by the cutter teeth, which are the same number. to the inch as the stamp perforations. By adjusting the cam 15, the cutting of the tape is controlled so as to give separate pieces of the desired length, or rupture at the lines of perforations in the tape.

It is to be understood that the device may be used for applying adhesive substance directly to the materials instead of applying water to adhesive or gum carried by the material. necessary to moisten both the gummed surface of the tape and the face of each envelope in the same operation, and one feature may be used without the other. Furthermore, it is to be understood that details of construction may be modifled and the parts rearranged to carry out the,

It is not results looked for without departing from the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for applying suitable liquid to suitable material fed in a definite path, comprising a liquid font having a flexible liquid distributing tube projecting therefrom, means to flex said tube to apply liquid to said material at regular intervals, and means to introduce air into said tube above the liquid therein as the tube is applying liquid to said material.

2. A device for applying suitable liquid to suitable material, comprising a liquid font having a springy liquid distributing tube, means to spring said tube to dispose it in a liquid distributing position, and means to admit air into said font above the liquid therein as said tube is flexed.

3. A device comprising a liquid font, having a springy liquid distributing element connected in communication with the interior of said font, and cam operated means connected with one end of said' element to spring the latter into and out of a liquid distributing position.

WALDO E. ROSEBUSH. 

